Jefferson County, MO – Joshua Ross of Cedar Hill not only has a great fish story to tell, but an official shared state record to back it up.

On Saturday, March 23, Ross took a 1-pound, 14-ounce gizzard shad from the Meramec River in Jefferson County by snagging. The fish ties the current state record gizzard shad taken by alternative methods set by Brian Taylor of Poplar Bluff on Jan. 9, 2013. Taylor’s catch of the same weight came out of the Black River.

Ross’s fish measured 16.2 inches long. He and Taylor now share the state record for gizzard shad caught by alternative method. The pole-and-line record belongs to Johnny Lee Ash of Windsor for a 1-pound, 6-ounce gizzard shad he caught below Truman Dam in 2001.

Anglers who catch unusually large fish but fall short of records can get recognition through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Master Angler Award program. To qualify, fish must meet minimum weight or length requirements. For example, a gizzard shad must measure at least 13 inches or weigh at least 1 pound to qualify for a Master Angler Award.

More information about Missouri fishing records and the Master Angler Award program is available at mdc.mo.gov/node/2476.

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